Did The America's Cup Make a Mistake Shifting to Multi-Hulls?

[kimonojoe]

Is Anyone Really Interested in an "Extreme", Cup Series Anyway?

[kimonojoe]

Is Anyone Really Interested in an "Extreme", Cup Series Anyway?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, kimonojoe.

There's no need for duplicate posts/poll.
Aren't all races somewhat extreme?

[skipmac]

Leading edge racing of any type is interesting but I think the America's cup should have stuck to monohulls and perhaps set up an separate race for multis.

I think the America's Cup also should go back to boats that can leave the dock and sail or not sink even if the winds are less than 5 kts and more than 15 kts.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Leading edge racing of any type is interesting but I think the America's cup should have stuck to monohulls and perhaps set up an separate race for multis.

I think the America's Cup also should go back to boats that can leave the dock and sail or not sink even if the winds are less than 5 kts and more than 15 kts.

I have to agree that the boats ought to be built to certain level of proper seamanship. I'm all for testing new materials, but when a boat breaks in half in 5 knots of wind... well.... that's BS! I watched the racing on TV a couple of months ago and the multi's were just as exciting as the mono's used to be. The old measurement rule was BS... just created a bunch of ugly wierd boats. I liked the races I watched because they werent as long as the AC competition I've seen. I have trouble finding out when they are going to be televised... hard to keep up with it.

[dennisjay]

The cup used to about competition among millionaires. Now it's among billionaires. Denis Connors started cheapening the competition by turning the cup into Nascar with mega corporate sponsorships. The multis have further cheapened the race.

Sad.

[James S]

IMO Americas Cup, like Formula One, is the top of the game..I think its good for the sport and ultimately sailing in general, to make the most of any and all technologies that make these boats better...what ever better means.

We can have other races for other boats as required.

[Therapy]

I think it's great.

Everyone wants to watch one flip!

[Cheechako]

The top of the game to me would be the around the world racers. That's a little more real test of materials and design I think. But the AC is good I agree...

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Leading edge racing of any type is interesting but I think the America's cup should have stuck to monohulls and perhaps set up an separate race for multis.

I think the America's Cup also should go back to boats that can leave the dock and sail or not sink even if the winds are less than 5 kts and more than 15 kts.

Aaaaannnnddd...we're done here.

The America's Cup can make or not make all the mistakes it wants. I wouldn't pay attention any more than I would watch a fencing match between blind hemophiliacs. The baseline assumptions are too distant from my own idea of sailing. If you have to stop racing at 15 knots and 3 feet of waves because your boat might fold in half, you are more like an Opti with a pituitary disorder than a proper sailboat.

I take that back. I've never seen an Opti fold in half due to waves or wind.

[hogfighter]

I do wish that there was a "classic" category.....

No computers. Your "Wind Guage" is a wet finger.

[cruiser6003]

I applaud the multi hulls. There are far too many rules as it is. If it floats on the water and is powered by sails then it qualifies. Yes, it means corporate sponsorship but it also means the fastest sailboats out. Isn't that what racing is? Find the fastest of anything.

There are other events for those that can't compete with the Big Boys. PHRF racing in my opinion is just plain ludicrous. Like handicapped golfing. You'll always get sandbaggers.

[Celestialsailor]

I like the cats now...fast, action packed. It took the stuffy old men and the cry-babies like Cayard out of the picture and replaced them with young top athletes. You have to admit...it's fun watching one pitch-pole with a crew member diving through the mainsail head first!

[Sand crab]

This thing is screwed up. If you look at the thread title
Did The America's Cup Make a Mistake Shifting to Multi-Hulls?
and were pro old style rules (mono only) then you would answer yes to the thread title.

Then if you read the post on the poll it says:
Are Multi-Hulls Right For The America's Cup?

If you answered yes here then you would contradict yourself earlier. Or vice versa. Mods please fix this.

[James S]

I voted yes on both polls based on the question above the actual poll.